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Asher
Every muscle in Asher’s body was tensed to run. His eyes were glued to Giselle, who suddenly looked so small out there onstage. So vulnerable. All the powerful energy she had exuded earlier seemed to have vanished in that puff of electrical smoke. The stage effects that added exuberance to the set had gone dim. The fans were no longer circulating cool air down to the stage. Surely, they would have to cut the show short and give the crew a chance to fix things. Asher thought about all the meticulous preparation they had done for this festival. He imagined the weight on Giselle’s delicate shoulders, and all those eyes boring into her like daggers.
She glanced over at Asher and Blaze for a split second. She looked relieved to see them there. And then she lifted the mic to her lips.
“Testing, testing, can you hear me, Sunfair Fest?” she purred, her voice beautifully amplified through the microphone. Whoever had cut those wires missed the most vital one.
Cheers erupted throughout the crowd as Matt and Jimmy began to play.
“Their effects are shot,” Asher murmured.
“No fun reverb for Matt,” Blaze whispered back.
The volume was lower than hoped for, but to their surprise, the audience went quiet to let them play. Looking at the faces still illuminated by the remaining lights, Asher could see the energy was still there. People were thrilled to get this dimmed-down, intimate musical experience with Tortured Hearts. Giselle was killing it. Asher was floored by how gorgeous and clear Giselle’s voice was without all the extra effects. Even with the band playing a muffled version of their songs, Giselle was able to match their tone without losing the passion. Now and then, when she began to get tired from working so hard, she would raise up the mic and let the crowd sing the lyrics. It was incredible to watch her work. She was improvising. She was completely in control, not only of herself, but of the whole scene.
Blaze and Asher watched in admiration as Tortured Hearts played every last song on their setlist, followed by an encore. As the crowd was chanting for a second one, Asher noticed Giselle wobbling in her platform shoes. Her already pale skin looked extra white, and not just because of the moonlight beaming down on the stage. Her forehead was beaded with sweat, her black hair a chaotic mess. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she smiled out at the crowd.
“She looks woozy,” Blaze growled.
Asher nodded, his own protective instincts kicking in, too.
At just that moment, the festival’s hostess came swishing out from the other wing to relieve the band. Giselle noticed her there and said into the mic, “Thank you, everyone.”
The crowd cheered at a volume so intense it nearly knocked her back. The hostess took the mic and did her best to calm them down for the interlude while the band made their way offstage. Giselle managed to keep herself upright just long enough to nearly collapse at Asher’s feet. He scooped her into his arms and let her go limp against him, her cheek resting on his chest.
“I am so proud of you,” he murmured to her.
Blaze tousled her messy hair. “You ruled that stage, Giselle,” he said softly.
Giselle could only grunt in response. Matt and Jimmy came lumbering over, both of them also drenched with sweat and heaving from effort.
“That was insane,” Matt panted.
“Haven’t done a show like that in years,” agreed Jimmy. “How is she?”
“Exhausted,” Asher said. “She needs hydration and rest.”
“Don’t we all,” Matt said. “I’m gonna hit the tour bus to clean up a little bit and then hit the party scene later tonight.”
“I’m going to get some sleep on the bus,” Jimmy said. “But Giselle probably needs something a little less rustic than a bunk bed to recuperate in.”
“Mhm,” Giselle mumbled against Asher’s chest.
“We’ll get her a hotel room somewhere local,” he offered.
“Don’t worry. We’ll keep a low profile,” said Blaze.
“I’ll let the roadies know what’s going on,” said Jimmy.
Within half an hour, they were out of there. They tipped a very lethargic Giselle into the backseat of the Cadillac and puttered off toward the town of Indio. They returned to the same hotel they had used the night before, this time checking into one large suite. Luckily, the night shift hotel clerks were two college students who clearly had the hots for each other. They were too busy flirting to notice Giselle Kingston walking into their hotel with two handsome men. That was exactly what she needed tonight: complete privacy.
Well, except for the fact that Asher and Blaze wouldn’t leave her side.
“How are you feeling?” Blaze asked her as he closed the suite door.
“Sweaty,” she replied, already tearing off her uncomfortable show ensemble on her way to the bathroom.
“I’ll run you a bath,” Asher said.
